Jointly organised by WREN, Networking Business Globally and the Bangladeshi Embassy in Kathmandu, the expo contains 125 stalls showcasing handicrafts, textiles, pharmaceuticals, herbal products, information technology, education institutions, readymade garments, boutiques, frozen sea foods, confectionery, beverages, ceramic products and cosmetics from Bangladesh and Nepal.

Inaugurating the expo, Minister for Commerce and Supply Sunil Bahadur Thapa said that it would strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

“As we share many common cultures, this expo will be an opportunities to enhance trade between the countries,” he added. He also said that the government was in the process of creating a new trade agreement to facilitate product and service trade in both the countries.

Similarly, Bangladeshi Ambassador to Nepal Mashfee Binte Shams said that the expo would be able to explore new areas of trade for economic welfare. She added that the displays of diversified products from Bangladesh would help Nepal’s business community to learn about the wide variety products they can source economically from Bangladesh.

“I firmly believe that this expo will provide opportunity for entrepreneurs to strengthen business linkages with each other,” she said. Many Bangladeshi exhibitors are offering their products at discounted rates during the expo. T-shirts from Rs 300, shirts from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500, sweatshirts from Rs 600 to Rs 1,500 and jeans starting at Rs 800 are some of the clothes on offer.

The fair will run for five days. The organiser has fixed the entry fee at Rs 25 per person.

Meanwhile, Royal Tiger Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship Concert 2015 will be held on February 15 on the sidelines of the expo. Bollywood singer James (Faruq Mahfuz Anam) and singers Arif, Kona, Reshmi and Shokh from Bangladesh and Nepali artists like Uglyz, Ciney Gurung, Tattava Band, Sabin Rai and Rap Connect will also be performing at the concert.

The Bangladeshi Embassy is partnering with Synthesis and WREN Networking, Bangladesh to hold the event. Moods Media & Events of Nepal and eMakers of Bangladesh are the organisers of the event. Tickets for the concert are priced at Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.